Dear Aruba Lovers,
Aruba is known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life — but what many don’t realize is that our beloved coral reefs are in serious danger. To shed light on this urgent issue, the VisitAruba team, in collaboration with the Aruba International Regatta and University of Aruba, recently hosted a special film screening of the Netflix documentary Chasing Coral.
The event, held on August 16th at the University of Aruba’s Aula, welcomed over 120 guests for an evening of awareness, inspiration, and action.
🐠 The Hidden Crisis: Coral Reefs Are Dying
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Over 71 million tourists visit coral reefs each year
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Coral reef tourism is worth $36 billion globally
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Yet we’ve lost 50% of coral reefs in the last 30 years
Aruba’s reefs are no exception. With snorkeling and diving among the island’s top tourist activities, protecting these fragile ecosystems is vital to our environment and economy.
🎬 Chasing Coral: Eye-Opening & Emotional
This Sundance award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary took over three years to create, with:
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500+ hours of underwater footage
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Scenes from 30+ countries
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A production team of 500+ contributors
The film reveals the devastating reality of coral bleaching and climate change’s impact on ocean life — with powerful visuals and a deeply moving message.
🧠 Community Engagement & Expert Panel
Following the film, guests participated in a panel discussion, led by Eric Mijts, University of Aruba professor and President of the Aruba Regatta Foundation.
Panelists included:
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Castro Perez – Aruba Reef Care Foundation
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Anthony Hagedoorn – Captain, Tranquilo Charters
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Walter Mohamed – AHATA Environmental Committee
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Anita Mijts-Aerts – Aruba International Regatta
Topics included:
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The need for reef-safe sunscreens
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Reducing plastic waste and energy footprints
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The proposal to create an Aruban marine park, following Bonaire’s successful model
🏛️ Hope from Parliament: Promising Steps Forward
Member of Parliament Daphne Lejuez addressed audience questions about government efforts, announcing that:
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A ban on styrofoam, harmful sunscreens, and single-use plastics was in progress
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Parliament would soon review legislation to establish Aruba’s first marine park
These are bold steps in the right direction, aligning with our island’s goal of environmental sustainability.
🌍 The Time is Now
Raising awareness is the first step — but it’s not enough. Action is what truly creates change. Aruba invites all visitors and locals to be part of the solution:
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Use reef-safe sunscreen
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Avoid single-use plastics
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Support eco-conscious businesses
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Advocate for marine protection
Together, we can ensure that the coral reefs — and the countless species that depend on them — continue to thrive in Aruba’s waters for generations to come.
Because this is our home. There is no Planet B.
Photo credits : https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/things-to-do/arubas-chasing-coral-event-a-campaign-to-save-our-coral-reefs-and-inspire-action/
